Luck Of The Irish: 55th Montauk Friends Of Erin St. Patrick's Day Parade Coming Soon

MONTAUK, NY — Irish eyes are set to be smiling in Montauk soon as a full slate of fun events is scheduled leading up to the Montauk Friends of Erin 55th St. Patrick's Day Parade.

The parade takes place on Sunday, March 26 — the day marks the unofficial start of the upcoming season in Montauk, according to the Montauk Chamber of Commerce.

Guests can start arriving at 10 a.m. when the Montauk Chamber will begin ladling hot soup for sale in commemorative mugs.

At 11:30 a.m. Grand Marshal Eddie Ecker, Jr., "Montauk’s favorite son, retired East Hampton Town police chief and third generation grand marshal, kicks off the parade," a release from the Chamber said.

A beloved and family-friendly event, the parade features floats a'plenty.

Children can enjoy green face-painting, grabbing foam shamrocks and shillelaghs, and collecting lucky beads and candy tossed from the floats of hometown businesses and fire trucks.

In addition, Long Island bagpipe bands march in the parade, which starts on Edgemere Street, heading to South Edison Streeting and then, entering Main Street at the east end of town.

A variety of hot soups are donated by Montauk restaurants including Tillie’s of Gurney’s Inn, Inlet Seafood, John’s Pancake House, Naturally Good, Shagwong and Pizza Village.

A full list of Montauk Friends of Erin events lead up to the big parade:

• March 11, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 pm: 14th Annual Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner at The Point Bar & Grill
• March 24, noon to 3 p.m. – Behan’s Grand Marshal Luncheon at Gurney’s Montauk. Introduction and roast of Grand Marshal and presentation of his parade sash, top hat and shillelagh.
• March 25, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Gala Cocktail Party at Gurney's Montauk. A buffet, open bar and live music and a Pot of Gold Raffle. The party is one of the Parade's primary fundraisers. For tickets and info, click here.

For updates on the parade, go to the Montauk Chamber of Commerce's Facebook page. And for a Twitter feed from the Montauk Chamber live from the parade route on the big day, click here.

Patch photo courtesy of the Montauk Chamber of Commerce.